Matthew Duplissis

Taken from his loved ones too soon, Matthew Duplissis was a blessing in the lives of his family and friends. He was generous and always looking after others, the sort of man who would do whatever he could to help someone in need. Matt loved many things throughout his life, but there was nothing that he treasured more than being a father to the daughter he loved more than life itself. He was a gifted athlete who loved sharing his passions with the friends who enjoyed the same interests. A devoted son, loving father, and fun-loving friend, Matt will be dearly missed while his memory is forever cherished. The 1960s were a time to remember in American history as there were numerous noteworthy events. We elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States while civil rights were gaining vast amounts of momentum due to the efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr. It was within this eventful time that a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was pleased to announce the birth of their son on February 10, 1063. Matthew Jon was the middle of three boys born to his parents, William and Frances (Belmonte) Duplissis, joined in his family by his older brother, Mark, and his younger brother, Michael. His father worked as a loan officer at Seboard Finance while his mother was a teacher at Marquette School. During his earliest years Matt was raised in the family home in North Muskegon, and in 1967 he moved with his family to a home on Bonneville Drive in Norton Shores. For the most part Matt experienced an upbringing that was fairly typical for young boys of his generation. He could often be found playing with his brothers and other neighborhood kids. Sports were an integral part of Matts life throughout his entire journey. He played Little League baseball, and he also started playing hockey when he was just six. These experiences during his childhood would be the foundation for the love of playing sports that would carry over into his adulthood. When he was just 14, Matt was a stick boy for the local minor league hockey team, the Muskegon Mohawks, which allowed him to sit on the bench during games to collect sticks and pucks for the players. As a family there were fun vacations to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to visit his grandparents who had a place there in addition to family camping trips. The Duplissis family also had an 18 foot wooden speedboat that they kept on Bear Lake where they shared numerous great times on the water. The boys were also responsible to help maintain the boat. From the time he was a young boy, Matt was a bustle of activity. He was a student at local schools including Lincoln Park Elementary and then Mona Shores Junior and Senior High School. However, during his senior year Matt transferred to Muskegon Catholic Central High School where he played both basketball and baseball. He was always a fun-loving guy who made friends with ease and loved being the center of attention. It was during his childhood that Matt developed his love for music. He learned to play the piano by ear, sang in school choir, and had a lead role in the musical Hello Dolly during his senior year. Matt also had an amazing memory when it came to which performer sang which songs. After graduating from high school in 1981, Matt went on to Muskegon Community College where he played on the baseball team. With his education behind him, he was poised for the working world. Matt found work in the warehouse at Nichols Paper Company where he eventually moved up to a sales position. After 15 years there, he obtained his real estate license and went to work for Nexes Realty where he remained for over 10 years. Life was forever changed for Matt when he met a young woman from Ravenna named Amy Powers. After dating for a time, they were married in 1994. They loved having fun together and had a large circle of friends with whom they went to several parties and cookouts. There were annual pizza parties at Matts mothers house complete with her homemade pizza. These gatherings were the means to keep Matt and his buddies connected through the years. The group also had annual golf trips during the final four week in March. Together Matt and Amy welcomed their daughter, Olivia, into their hearts and home in 2002. He treasured his role as a father, and he made countless priceless memories with his daughter. Among them were their trips to the Muskegon Fury games along with his nephew, Joe, fun times at Michigans Adventure, and bowling and ice skating, too. Although his marriage later ended in divorce, Matt was forever grateful to Amy for the daughter they shared. Throughout his life Matt was a man of many interests. For a number of years he played baseball for the Bud Light mens team, and he also played hockey in the mens league at the Walker Arena for several years. In addition, Matt was artistic and liked to make framed collages. He cut photos from magazines of various sports teams and other themes, which he then arranged and framed. Many of his creations were often given away to family and friends. Matt was a member of St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. Tough times were in store for Matt when his father died in 2009. He was always very close with his father, and they loved being together whenever they could, often to play golf. Matt took over his fathers seat on the board of directors of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame and also took over the Hall of Fame display at the Arena. The days following the death of his father were incredibly challenging for Matt. To know Matthew Duplissis was to love him as he was one of the most kindhearted and generous people around. It was not uncommon for him to arrange a benefit for someone in need, and there was nothing that he wouldnt do for his beloved daughter. Matt lived life with everyone else in mind, always focused on others rather than himself, and it was due to this mindset that he allowed his own needs become more neglected than he should have. Life will never be the same without Matt here, but he will be deeply missed while his memory remains forever near and dear to the hearts and minds of his many friends and loved ones. Matthew J. Duplissis died on Tuesday, August 20, 2013. Matts family includes his daughter, Olivia (Amy) Duplissis of Muskegon; mother, Frances Duplissis of Muskegon; brothers, Mark (Leanne) Duplissis of N. Muskegon, Michael Duplissis of Twin Lake; nieces and nephews, Aaron, Andrea, Nicholas, Katherine, Joseph; aunts and uncles, Rosemary and John Bench, Sam and Char Belmonte, Kris and Tony Barr, Gini Belmonte, Bob and Jean Mary Duplissis; and many cousins. Matt was preceded in death by his father; uncles and aunts, Larry (Jean) Belmonte and John Belmonte. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 26, 2013, 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Phil Salmonowicz officiating. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visit with Matts family and friends on Sunday, 2-6 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials can be made to Hospice of North Ottawa-Heartwood Lodge. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.